James Leigh on Muck Rack

James Leigh

Verified
(He/Him)
Hot Springs
As seen in: The Sentinel-Record, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Texarkana Gazette, Our Community Now, El Dorado News-Times, Banner-News
Covers:  Tourism, features, arts, community, courts
Senior Staff Writer for The Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs. News tips: bit.ly/3Wpse9X

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James Leigh’s Biography

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I am the digital editor for The Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs. I served as the editor for The Siftings Herald in Arkadelphia, the Prescott (Ark.) Picayune-Times, the Gurdon (Ark.) Times and the Hope (Ark.) Star. I started my journalistic career at the Malvern (Ark.) Daily Record covering courts and crime before moving to sports, which is where I have spent the majority of my career. I now focus primarily on the tourism beat in addition to making sure our website is updated with current and bre…

James Leigh’s Journalist Portfolio

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WATCH | Hallie Shoffner talks lowering healthcare costs, feeding Arkansans during Hot Springs sto...

WATCH | Hallie Shoffner talks lowering healthcare costs, feeding Arkansans during Hot Springs sto...

About 100 people attended Wednesday evening's fundraising event for Arkansas' Democratic candidate for U.S. S…

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WATCH | Heath off to fast start in first day as Visit Hot Springs CEO | Hot Springs Sentinel Reco...

WATCH | Heath off to fast start in first day as Visit Hot Springs CEO | Hot Springs Sentinel Reco...

Meet Devin Heath, the new CEO of Visit Hot Springs, who's ready to elevate tourism by connecting with the com…

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WATCH | Actor Kevin Costner, others testify to deteriorating infrastructure at national parks | H...

WATCH | Actor Kevin Costner, others testify to deteriorating infrastructure at national parks | H...

Much of the testimony in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources dealt with…

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WATCH | Undersecretary, congressman work on Charlton Trail, recognize volunteers | Hot Springs Se...

WATCH | Undersecretary, congressman work on Charlton Trail, recognize volunteers | Hot Springs Se...

Local volunteers received some physical assistance from Washington, D.C., on Charlton Trail.

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Community reaches out after tragic traffic deaths

Community reaches out after tragic traffic deaths

Funeral services for four people killed in a tragic four-car collision on Highway 70 near Jaguar Trail on Sat…

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Anglers can weigh in on AGFC management plan Tuesday

Anglers can weigh in on AGFC management plan Tuesday

Anglers will have a chance to talk directly to members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Tuesday at Ho…

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Articles

WATCH | Diane LaFollette reflects on 13 years at helm of Mid-America Science Museum

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By James Leigh Verified
| The Sentinel-Record Verified
Few people have been able to say they made a lasting mark on Hot Springs, but Mid-America Science Museum CEO Diane LaFollette is one of those people.
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Emergent Arts awarded $25K grant from Genesis Inspiration Foundation

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By James Leigh Verified
| The Sentinel-Record Verified
Emergent Arts received a $25,000 grant Tuesday from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation for art programming. The foundation, which is partially funded by the purchase of new Genesis vehicles, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that champions the arts for youth nationwide. Emergent Arts, which was founded in 2008 as Artchurch Studio, is the first organization in the state to receive a grant from Genesis Inspiration Foundation.
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WATCH | Hot Springs Community Resource Center reports $5.6 million in savings to community in first year

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By James Leigh Verified
| The Sentinel-Record Verified
The Hot Springs Community Resource Center helped 560 individuals and families with "critical housing stabilization services" over its first year of operation, the organization announced Thursday afternoon. Ryan Kaundart, the program director for the CRC, said the facility and its partner organizations provided utility assistance, rapid rehousing or rental deposit, and homeless prevention services, which provided an estimated savings of $5.6 million to the community.
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See all 1,177 licensed articles (1,199 Total)

Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

Intern — covered wrecks, fires, the basic stuff every journalist should do at least once

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Oh, yes. I grew up with an electric typewriter, and I typed my first school papers that way. Then I moved to a Commodore 128.

How is social media changing news?

It makes it harder because journalists have to fight against the fake news that spreads like wildfire on social media.

Awards

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Best Sports News Story

2021 - Sports News

2022 Better Newspaper Editorial Contest, Best Sports News Story, Smaller Dailies

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Best Health and Medical Story

2024 - Health and Medical

First and third place in the Best Health and Medical Story category of the Arkansas Press Association Awards

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Best Single News Photo

2024 - Single News Photo

Third place in Single News Photo category of the Arkansas Press Association Awards

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Best Health and Medical Story

2023 - Health and Medical

Third place in the Arkansas Press Association's Health and Medical Story category

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